Drama and English and American Literature

The BA Drama and English and American Literature at the University of Kent offers a comprehensive and dynamic exploration of theatrical performance, literary analysis, and cultural context from both English and American perspectives. This programme is designed to develop students’ critical thinking, analytical skills, and creative abilities through a diverse curriculum that combines practical theatre studies with rigorous literary analysis. Students will engage with a broad spectrum of texts, from classical plays to contemporary fiction, while also gaining practical experience in acting, directing, and production. The programme encourages an interdisciplinary approach, enabling students to understand the relationship between literature and drama within historical, social, and political frameworks.

Throughout the course, you will have the opportunity to explore diverse genres, themes, and styles, enhancing your understanding of both theatrical and literary traditions. You will study topics such as Shakespearean drama, modern American literature, and experimental theatre, as well as developing skills in critical writing, research, and performance. The programme includes practical workshops, seminars, and collaborative projects, providing a well-rounded education that prepares students for careers in theatre, publishing, media, education, and beyond.

The Department of Drama and the School of English at the University of Kent are committed to supporting students in their academic and professional development. You will benefit from expert teaching staff, access to excellent theatre facilities, and opportunities to participate in live productions and literary events. This programme aims not only to deepen your understanding of drama and literature but also to foster your creative confidence and critical insights. Graduates of the BA Drama and English and American Literature leave equipped with a versatile skill set, ready to pursue careers in various fields or continue their studies at postgraduate level.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 12450 Year (Non-EEA)

• Total Kent credits: 360
• Total ECTS credits: 180

• Total Kent credits: 360
• Total ECTS credits: 180

• English

Course Content

The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules, you may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.

Stage 1

Possible modules may include:

• DR315 - Modern Theatre: A Theoretical Landscape
• DR337 - The Empty Space
• EN333 - Romanticism
• EN302 - Early Drama
• EN331 - Readings in the Twentieth Century
• EN332 - Writing America

You have the opportunity to select wild modules in this stage

Stage 2

Possible modules may include:

• EN677 - The Contemporary
• EN681 - Novelty, Enlightenment and Emancipation: 18th Century Literature
• EN672 - Reading Victorian Literature
• EN675 - Declaring Independence: 19th Century US Literature
• EN689 - Modernism
• EN692 - Early Modern Literature 1500-1700
• EN695 - Empire, New Nations and Migration
• EN697 - Chaucer and Late Medieval English Literature
• EN694 - Shakespeare and Early Modern Drama
• DR681 - Theatres of the Past 2: The Moderns
• DR682 - Theatre and Music
• DR594 - Popular Performance
• DR609 - European Naturalist Theatre & Its Legacy
• DR663 - Physical Theatre 1
• DR549 - Acting
• DR575 - Victorian and Edwardian Theatre
• DR612 - Shakespeare's Theatre
• DR667 - Site Specific Performance
• DR669 - European Theatre from 1945
• DR671 - Puppet and Object Theatre
• DR673 - Theatres of the Past 1: the Classics
• DR674 - Performance and Art: Intermediality from Wagner to the Virtuals

You have the opportunity to select wild modules in this stage

Stage 3

Possible modules may include:

• DR676 - Introduction to Stand Up
• DR678 - Creative Project
• DR680 - Theatre & Adaptation
• DR619 - Playwriting I: For Beginners
• DR629 - Cultural Policies in the British Theatre
• DR635 - Dance & Discourse: Dramaturgies of Moving Bodies
• DR636 - The Shakespeare Effect
• DR648 - Applied Theatre
• DR659 - Performing Classical Texts
• DR592 - New Directions
• DR548 - Theatre & Journalism
• DR664 - Physical Theatre II
• DR610 - Performing Lives: Theory & Practice of Autobiographical Theatre
• DR683 - Performing Philosophy
• EN684 - Clouds, Waves & Crows: Writing the Natural, 1800 to the Present
• EN687 - Poetry and Crisis, from the First World War to Occupy
• EN676 - Cross-Cultural Coming-of-Age Narratives
• EN701 - The Global Eighteenth Century
• EN702 - Thomas Hardy
• EN703 - The 'Real' America: Class and Culture in the American Gilded Age
• EN704 - Discord and Devotion: Society & Spirituality in Middle English Literatu
• EN705 - The Contemporary Memoir
• EN707 - The British Novel in the 1860s: Sensing Modern Life
• EN708 - Virginia Woolf
• EN709 - Animals, Humans, Writing
• EN710 - Victorian Aestheticism and Decadence
• EN580 - Charles Dickens and Victorian England
• EN583 - Postcolonial Writing
• EN586 - Language and Place in Colonial and Postcolonial Poetry
• EN588 - Innovation and Experiment in New York, 1945- 1995
• EN604 - The Unknown: Reading and Writing
• EN623 - Native American Literature
• EN633 - Bodies of Evidence: Reading The Body In Eighteenth Century Literature
• EN637 - Unruly Women and Other Insubordinates: the dramatic repertoire of the Q
• EN646 - Image, Vision and Dream: Medieval Texts and Visual Culture
• EN655 - Places and Journeys
• EN656 - Heroes and Exiles: An Introduction to Old English Poetry
• EN657 - The Brontes in Context
• EN658 - American Crime Fiction
• EN659 - Contemporary Irish Writing
• EN660 - Writing Lives in Early Modern England: Diaries, Letters and Secret Selv
• EN661 - The Stranger
• EN666 - From Book to Blog: Geoffrey Chaucer and his Afterlives
• EN667 - Harlem to Hogan's Alley: Black Writing in North America
• EN668 - Discovery Space: New Theatres in Early Modern England
• EN669 - Marriage, Desire and Divorce in Early Modern Literature
• EN670 - Lyric, Ballad and Popular Song

Requirements

The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.

Qualification / Typical offer/minimum requirement

• ABB including English Literature or English Language and Literature grade B

• The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above.

• The university will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) on a case by case basis please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances.

• 34 points overall or 16 at HL including HL English A1/A2/B at 5/6/6 OR HL English Literature A/English Language and Literature A (or Literature A/Language and Literature A of another country) at HL 5 or SL 6

The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about our country-specific requirements.

Please note that if you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes through Kent International Pathways.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Kent.

The Drama and English and American Literature program at the University of Kent offers students an in-depth exploration of theatre, performance, and literary studies, providing a comprehensive understanding of the cultural, historical, and theoretical contexts of drama and literature. This interdisciplinary course enables students to develop critical analyses of texts and performances from diverse periods and regions, fostering skills in interpretation, communication, and creative expression. The program combines rigorous academic coursework with practical engagement through workshops, performances, and placements, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. Students can expect to study a wide variety of texts, including classical and modern plays, literary works, and performance practices, supporting the development of a nuanced understanding of both literary forms and theatrical methods. The curriculum emphasizes analytical skills, cultural awareness, and the ability to articulate complex ideas effectively, preparing graduates for careers in theatre, education, publishing, media, and related fields. Throughout the program, students benefit from experienced academic staff with expertise spanning theatrical practice, literary criticism, and cultural studies, as well as access to well-equipped performance spaces and libraries. The program's flexible structure enables students to tailor their studies to specific interests, often including modules on contemporary theatre, American literature, creative writing, and performance analysis. Additionally, the program promotes active participation in the university's vibrant arts community, with opportunities for students to contribute to productions, participate in festivals, and engage with visiting practitioners. Overall, the Drama and English and American Literature program aims to cultivate innovative thinkers capable of analysis, expression, and creative practice within the fields of drama and literature.